At our clinic the big four diseases we treat are glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, and cataracts. These are also the most common eye diseases in Canada.
Other issues like dry eyes are very common, but less talked about. So don’t often make it into the top list of eye conditions.
In this post we share some of the most common eye diseases and offers ways to detect them. These include mild eye diseases like dry eyes, and also more serious eye conditions like macular degeneration and Keratoconus.
#1 Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage of the optic nerve at the point, the area that is critical for good vision.
If left untreated, most types of glaucoma tend to progress to vision degeneration and eventual vision loss.
Often labeled as the “silent blinding disease”, the visual damage is mostly irreversible
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.
Learn more about Glaucoma
#2 Diabetes
Diabetic macular edema is the swelling in the macula, caused by Diabetes.
Over time, this disease will damage this part of the eye, leading to partial vision loss or blindness. Macular edema usually develops in people who already have other signs of diabetic retinopathy.
Have diabetes and want to set up an eye examination? Book in for an appointment
#3 Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration is the most common eye disorders among people over 50 and causes blurred or reduced central vision, due to thinning of the macula
The macula is the part of the retina responsible for clear vision in your direct line of sight.
This disease causes severe loss of eyesight, however rarely will someone go blind from it.
Doctors have yet to agree on what exactly causes macular degeneration, however research indicates it may be affected by a combination of heredity and environmental factors, including smoking, obesity and diet.
Learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration
#4 – Cataracts
Cataracts are the clouding of the natural lens of your eye, which should normally be clear in a healthy eye. Most cataracts develop slowly over time, leading to blurry vision.
Cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions or medical conditions such as diabetes.
Cataracts can be surgically removed through an outpatient procedure that restores vision in nearly everyone.
Learn more about cataracts treatment options
#5 – Dry Eyes
By far the number 1 condition we treat here at Sigma Eyecare.
Millions of people suffer from dry eyes and it’s one of the most common complaints of patients here at Sigma Eyecare. Dry eyes issues primarily stem from computer usage and prolonged screen time, something we all fall victim to on a daily basis.
Learn more about Dry eyes disease and how to treat it
#6 – Keratoconus
More recently, we’ve seen more rare conditions like keratoconus pop up here at the clinic.
Keratoconus is when the cornea, which is that clear dome in the front of your eye, starts to grow outwards into a steep tip so it looks like a little cone.
There is a genetic component to keratoconus, often stemming from an underlying autoimmune condition in the body itself that’s leading to weaker corneas. and then people who have keratoconus tend to have more sensitivity to allergies around the eyes, or allergies in general.
The allergies are kind of a side effect of that altered autoimmune state. Learn more about keratoconus diagnosis and treatment.
How to determine if you have any eye diseases?
A complete eye examination like the one offered here at Sigma Eyecare will help determine if you have any eye disease and what the best course of action is.
Book in with one of our eye doctors to get started. Book your appointment today